Secondhand Secrets by Katerina Simms

Author:Katerina Simms [Simms, Katerina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Paper Planes

Twenty-One

Long before Mark’s chauffeur-driven car rolled to a stop in front of his new building, a group of eager-to-please suck-ups gathered at the curb ready to meet him. He shook his head behind the tinted glass and pulled his sunglasses from the beige console beside him in the backseat, quick to obscure his eyes.

Only a small handful of people knew his true identity or his plans here. Everyone else was meaningless. The quicker these blow-hards learned not to bother with groveling, the easier life would be for all.

He steeled his focus forward and away from the horde until his driver stepped out and held his door open, the man quick to push people back and leave room for him to cross the pavement.

What he did now was an act of pure theater, one where he set the tone for how others should treat him. As was customary, he’d already paid-off and fired this company’s board. And given the excess money he’d blown, they’d provided Mark early sway on certain projects and allowed him to place a few, choice calls.

The official change of power complete, the building’s giant tinted sliding doors welcomed him. His Italian leather shoes made first contact with the cavernous foyer’s glossy dark tile. Black and blue fixtures stared back at him. The classic colors of a tech company. A palette he’d always very much enjoyed.

Inside, more people stopped to stare, but he powered on toward the glass lifts, one of which designated for his use only. Yet another thing he’d negotiated in his plan to set the scene here.

And make no mistake. This was all part of a greater plan. A masterclass in revenge, so far beyond anything anyone at the Syndicate could hope to execute. No, they would have merely sought to kill Sarah and Dean, but Mark had more talent and brains than all of them.

He’d done his research. He’d found Chip Overton. Found Stonewall. Then set the wheels in motion to capture both. Now the clock ticked on what would be his magnum opus.

Nothing here would resemble the actions of a low-level street thug. He’d move beyond basic theft and violence. He’d co-ordinate the same perfect dance he’d performed time and time again, albeit on a smaller scale.

A dance called, Shared Liability.

He paused before the lift’s doors and ventured to turn his head. To lower his glasses and eye the bold and glowing sign above the entry’s big sliding doors. A sign that merely said Encode.

Chip Overton would return to Boston. He’d give his presentation and hand over access to his code, no threats or theft from Mark required, and he’d even go so far as to ensure all Mr. Overton’s dreams came true.

He’d win his coveted Graduate’s grant…

Then sign the rights to Stonewall away.

So easy. So above board. Overton would simply hand over Stonewall and his entire life. Because liability bought obedience.

Whatever Mark’s deplorable plans for Stonewall, Chip would be implicated. He’d incriminate himself in speaking out. He’d also die just trying. So

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